C++ All-In-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1. Exploring the Standard Library Further

In This Chapter

• Categorizing the Standard Library functions

• Working with container functions such as hash

• Performing random access with iterator functions

• Working with algorithms such as find

• Creating random numbers with functors

• Working with utilities such as min and max

• Creating temporary buffers with allocators

The Standard Library is one of the most important parts of the C++ developer's toolkit because it contains a host of interesting functions that let you write great applications. The Standard Library originally started as the Standard Template Library (STL), and a number of companies, including Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) and IBM, distributed it for everyone to use. The International Standards Organization (ISO) eventually took over STL, made a few minor changes to it, and renamed it the Standard Library. Consequently, when you see the STL online, don't get confused; it's merely an older version of the Standard Library.

Note

For the purposes of this book, the differences between the Standard Library and the STL are so small that you can probably use them interchangeably. Just remember that the Standard Library is newer and does contain some changes to make the various versions of the STL work together.

This chapter provides an overview of the Standard Library and shows you some examples of how to use it. However, if you don't see what you want here, don't worry, we discuss more examples in later chapters and you can always refer to ...